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A Mount Vernon man pleaded guilty yesterday to multiple felony counts for striking a Danville
police officer with his car and fleeing police this year.

Joshua T. Baldridge, 18, of 305 Howard St., pleaded guilty to assault on a peace officer,
fleeing and eluding, breaking and entering and grand theft of a motor vehicle. A first-degree
attempted-murder charge was dismissed in exchange for the guilty pleas.

Baldridge was found breaking into two Mount Vernon businesses on May 19, but fled from police.
Officers attempted to stop his car with spike strips, but Baldridge swerved to avoid them, instead
striking Danville Police Officer Chad Lishness.

Baldridge continued on Rt. 36 until officers lost sight of him near Rt. 715.

About two hours later, deputies with the Knox County sheriff’s office found Baldridge in a
stolen car south of Mount Vernon. He was chased into Centerburg, where he crashed into parked cars
along Main Street.

Lishness was not seriously injured. Baldridge is to remain in jail until his sentencing on Jan.
17.